System of distribution by alternating currents



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

. O. P. ST'EINMETZ.

SYSTEM OF DISTRIBUTION BY ALTERNATING GURRENTS. N0. 533,244. Patented Jan. 29, 1895.

BEST AVAIL IBLE (NdModeL) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

0. P. STEINMETZ." SYSTEM OF DISTRIBUTION BY ALTERNATING GURRENTS. -No. 533,244. Patented-Jan. 29-, 1895.

o Hg. w?

iiilhir UNIT STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLESTP. S'IIEINMETZ, 0F SCHENEOTADY, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO THE GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY. OF NEW'YORK. r

SYSTEM OF-DISTRIBU TlON BY-ALTEBNATINGI CURRENT-s.

ssncmcn'rxon forming part of Letters Patent No. 533,244, dated January 29,- 1895.

' Application tiled April 2,1894. S'oriaiHo- 505,987- CNo model).

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that-I, CHARLES P. Srnmnn'rz,

a subject of the Emperor of Germany, resid-' ing in the city and county of Schenectady, State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Systems of Distribution by Alternating Currents, of which the following is a-speciflcation.

The present invention comprises what I .terma monocyclic'systempf distribution, and

consists of certain improvementswhereby lamps or others'inglephase translating devices,.as well as multiphase motors, may be supplied with current from'a single sou rce'of power and a common system of circuits. The

system resembles in some respectsthe ordi-- nary. alternating single-phase distribution systems such as are now used extensively for lighting purposes, but by the present invention-I render sucha system capable of operating multiphase motors as well as lamps when desired without the necessity of installin g special multiphase generators for the motors or running special circuits. In fact, by the present invention the generators employed may be installed for an ordinary light-.

ing system; and whenever it is desired'to op-v erate motors as well as lamps it is only necessary to run an additional main tov the point or points'where the-motors are located and to maintai'n npon this main an' out of-phase electromotiy'force, so that between this main and the single phase mains polyphase electroniotive forces will exist. This end is attainedthrough the agency of a supplementary or phase-modifyin g source of electromotive force so arranged as to act jointly with the main source .of electromotive force but having a different phase relation, so that by the combined action of thernain and supplementary sources an electromotive force of displaced phase is maintained upon the third or intermediate main of the polyphase circuit. There is a wide variety of ways in which this combination ofeleotromotive forces may be securedin practice, some oi which willbe specifically described in other applications.

The general method herein set'out consists in thense of a phase-modifying coil on the main generator which is of the ordinary single phase type this supplementary coil having a displaced position from the main winding in thefieldofforcesoastotendtogeneratean electromotive force of differentphase'fron that generated in the main winding. This coil 18 connected at one end to an intermediate point in the main winding and atthe other end to the intermediate main of a polyphase circuit, the outside mains of the circuit being connected to the terminals of the main winding. By this arrangement an alternating electromotive force is maintained between the two outside mains by the main winding of the generator while resultantelectromotive forces are'maintained between the --inte rmediat'e -6 main and the outside mains respectively,

which are-due to the joint action of the'main winding and phase-modifying coil and which areout of phase with one another and with the electromotive -force existing between the outside'inains.

In the accompanying drawingsillustrat ng the invention, Figure 1 showsa distribution system in diagram. Fig. 2 shows in asimilar manner a distribution system comprising a bank of dynamos in which monocycli'c ma-' chines are working in multiple with ordinary single-phase machines. Fig. 3 tea d agram showing means of regulating the phase-modifying coil of the generator. Fig. 4 is a geo-, metrical diagram illustrating the relat on between displacement of phase'and-the relative values of the component QlGQtlU-JllOtlVG forces. In Fig. l the generator comprises an army ture winding A A whose terminals are con; nected to collector rings R R. and which s arranged in a manner similar toord nary smgle-phase alternating dynamos. The Wllldr ing A A constitutes the main source of electromotive force and maintains alternating electromotive-forcewaves inthe mains q'cconnected respectively to the collector rings and 'which constitute either a single-phase circuit.- The field of the generator is wo'und A with a coil F in circpibwith a'separateshunt wound exciting-dynamo E, and a resistance v I is provided-for regulating the exciter. For compounding or over-compounding ill-161118.111

dynamo, its field may also be provided with 100 a series coil F, the current in which is recti-- fled by a commutator K, and a resistance 'r' able having-ephase relation. determined by s" s. a f; at: i

mnmLmm-nn in...

' sition iu-thefield of force has one terminal connected to this collector ring'an'd itsother terminal to a point at or, near the electrical center of the main winding as shown in the diagram. When single-phase trnslnting devices alonearc used the phase-modifying coil will be open cii'cuited,-.and at such times the system will operate in all-respects as any ordinary alternating system, the sin gle-phase translating devices, such as lamps, being connected electrically orinductively with the outsidemains a c, snd'theinte'rmediete main being dead. When polyphase currents are de= sired the phase-modifying coil is'con'nected to the intermediate main, and elect/mmotive forcesare then maintained betweenthis main and-the mains'ac i-espectivelyndn'e to the resultant action of the coilTA' and the hnlves otithe main winding A A,'which are out of 1 phase with one anotherand with that main- 'teined by; the unmodifiedsction of the mainwinding between the'mains a c.

,tianslating'devicesere connected with the When now three mains, polgpha'se currents are obtainthe resultantnction of the m'sin and supple mentary sources of electroino'tivc fence.

' In the diagram, Fig. 1, a circuit of lamps which-require only single-phase currents, is shown connected inductively through the transformer T with .the' mains a 0. At the right of the figure a system of ltrsnsformcrs 'i8 shown, su-itable for transforming multiphase curren'ts'derived from the three Ina-ins.

. Two transformers; fl? and T are used whose primariesare connected in series and whose tree terminels are connected to the mains a 0, while the intermediate main b is connected 5 to a. point hetw'eenthe primaries. The seeu arrangement wl'll'transform the primary cur-.

ondarics are similarly connected. Such an rents into secondary currents of different potential, but having the ss'm'e phase relstion.

' 'In Fig. 2 a bankof generntorsis'shown conmated to common bus-bars B, B, B.- Two of these enerators G, G are of the monocyclic type a sally described, provided with phasemodii'ying coils A connected tonn intermedlste polntinthemain coilA, A and to the bus-bar B. The remaining'generator G is of the ordinary single-phase type with its terminals conncctedtoithe bus-bars B, B". The field co'ils .of the dflterent'generators are all excited from a separate direct current Ina-- chine E and: may be independently regulated by rheoststs I, 1,1. The arrangement of distrihnting mains a b 'c, of transformers and Y working'circuits' is the sameas'slready describedi The transformer '1 is shown con nected with the ontsidefz'nsins end feeding a.

{lampcir'cuiht whi'le 'trsnsiormers; T T are shown connected to the th ree mains and transiorming polyphasecurren'ts. suitable formo' tor's as well as lemps. The generator G supplies current only to the single-phase translating devices,-bu t it works in multiple as shown, with the-generators G G which are the source of polyphnse currents;

Referring again to the construction of the generator, the angle of displacement of phase maintained in the main 1) depends upon the relative values of the component electronictive'forces due to the phase-modifying coil and the main coil. These component forces may be'illustrated geometrically es in Fig. 5, where e represents, for example, the electromotive force of one half the main winding A, 8' representing the electromotive force due to the other one half A? of the windingand e the electromotive force dueto the phase-modifying coil. The resultantelectromoti-ve'forces maintained between the main 1) nnd tlie i'nains electromotive forces'will assumeja different angular position, and consequently the :d if

ference'of phase will becorrespohdinglyj changed: 'Toenable the adjustmeht of the phase relation-,lprovidemeans forregulating I the value of the component, electromotive forces. This may beacco'mplishedin'ava riety of ways needing no special description,

but the simplest and preferred 'methodwill be to wind the phase-modifying. coil in'sec tions, providing a switch for cutting more or,

less of them into circuit. I-This is illustrated in Fig. 3 where a. switch 3 coupled with 25,001 U lecton ring R sweeps over contacts 0, con-..

nected at'difierent points to the'phase' modi;

fying coil.

In this specification the phase-modifying. source of electromotive fo'rce i 's'ides crihedias consisting of a supplementar'yfcoil onthe gen-' f orator. It is-however, not, necessary'that the modifying'source of electromptive force befi I connected with the main source directly. I

have shown in otherepplications dilferent.

embodiments of the invention in which this] modifying source of .electroxnotive force islocatednt-a distant point on the line.

M y purpose in this specification is reclaim the invention broadly, and also to'ooverthe special forms of the invention whichare speciiically set forth; while'in other applications- I will claim other specifio formsr H v What I claimas new, and de'sire ,'to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is'

1. The method of maintaining polyphase 'electromotiveforces in the different mains or branches of a. polyphsse' distributionsystem, which consists in connecting electrically or inductively two or moreoi such mains tetheterminals of s. msimsourceot electromotive force of. the single-phase type, and similarly eonneetin g an other of the miiins to suchsourco;

. through a supplementary source of electromotive force of different phase relation,

whereby such last mentioned-source of elecs s i o I tromotive force gives rise to axdesired difference of phase between the mains, as described. 2. The method of maintaining polyphase electromotive forces in the diifere nt'mains or branches of a polyphase distribution system, which consists in inducing alternating electromotive' forces in a stationary ormovi'ng' electro-dynamic mechanism of, the singlephase type, to whose terminals some of the mains are electrically or inductively connected, and inducing an electrom'otive force of diiferent phase'relation in a supplementary conductor connected to one or more other ,sist's in maintainiugpolyphase electi'omotive mains, which acting to modify the first named electromotive'force, creates-the desired (lif -fer'cnce" or phase between the run I has, as set forth.1-

3; The method herein set forth, w ich conforcesbetween the diifcrent branchesfof a polyphase. distributionsystem by the combined action of a source oi electromotiive force oLthe' single-phase type,'and amddit'ying source of..electromotive force of diiferent source or electromotive force of ditferentphase relation and adjusting the dittereuce' of phase by regn ating the relative vsineis'ot the main and modifying electromotive toi ces, as

described.-

' 4. The method herein-set tortin'whihh consistsin'haaintsining between two branches or mains of a polyphase distributjonsystem, an

alternating electromotive force by co'nnecu ing them inductively or electrically with any,

ordinary source of electromotive torce of the single-phase type, and maintaining between such mainsau'd an additional main electrometive force's out of phase with one anothera'nd with that between the first named inains, which ele'ctromotive forces are the resultants o! the main source and a supplementary .phasezrelation. i

5. The herein described method, which consists in connecting a modifying source of electroinotive force to a poiuft'at or near the electricalcenterof a main source of electro'motive force of the single-phase type, the modifying electromotive force having a difierent phase relationan'd by its modifying in iiuence creating adesired diffe ence of phase between the I 2 terminals of the sin source and the free terminalof the,'auxi iary source, as described.

6. The method herein set forthiwhichcon- 'sists in maintain tug an alternat ng electromotive force between" two'- branches or mains of an electric distribution s stem. connected respectit'el to the termina set a main gem erator or e ectrotnotive force of the singlephase type, and, for the purpose of securing multiphase curreuts'when desired, maintaining on" a separate branch or branches of the 45 systems an-electromotive force at displaced ig-phase bythe combined action of the said I flmain source oi eleotromotive force and a supplementary source of electromotive force having a diiferent phase relation, and thereby modifying to the desired extent the phase relation of the resultant eiectrojmotive force.

7. The combination of agenerator orsource of electromotive force of the single-phase type and an electric circuit connected eleptricaliy or inductively therewith, wi th a separate main or mains forming with the said circuit a multiphase distribution system, and a snpplemem tary or modifying source pffelectromot-ive force in circuit with such last nained main or an serving jointly with the main generating i so roe to maintain a resultant electromotive force on the main to which it is connected,

having a desired'difference of phase from I thei main source. i I I s 9i Thejgcombination of a main source of electromotive force oi the single-phase type con- -thait developed by the unmodified action of;

nected to' some of themains of adistribution.

system, and'a modifying sourceof electro'-- motive force of difierent phase relation between such main source and one or more other mains of the system, as set forth.

10. The combination of main and modifying sources'of electromotive force o diflfer ent phase relation connected to, and maintaining terent branches a polyphase distribution system, asidescribed, with amps or other s ngle' phase; translating devices supphedwrth current by the mains connected withthe mtnn source of electromotive force, and polyphase meters or other like devices supplied with current from the mains connected with hoth sources of electromotive force, as described. 11. A dynamo electric machine having a ,polyphase.electromotive forces in,:the difmain armature winding of the single-phase type, and a. phase-modifying coil cpnne'cted to an intermediate point in the main winding and occupying a displaced position in the field of force, as set forth.

12. A dynamo-electric machine having a main. armature winding of the single-phase type connected at its respective ends to collector rings or similar circuit terminals, and a phase-modifying coil connected at one end to 'a point at or near the electrical center of the main winding andat the other end to a collector ring, as described.

18. The combination of a plurality oi; -alternating current dynamo electric machines coupled in multiple,one or-morc of such machines being provided with a supplementary in ing se'rvmg as a source-cf electrometive v .fqrce of (lisplecedphase with single phase clrcmts extendlngfrom all themachines and 5' multiphase circuits extending from the mn-' lohine or machines provideq witnthe snpple mentary -winding.-

14L In ws'ystem oiflelectrin distrihnt ien ,3

- maifsouree. of alternating elec'tre-mctive '10 force connected-to two'of the mains of said fiy stgmwm eane for regulating theeeid'souree m correspondence. with .dema'nds on said malnfand'a supplementary source of alter-- hating electro motiverforee of difiierentphase r 5 relation connected to an additional main ancl rsefii'ng jointly with the main, generating fsonroetomaintain a resnltant electro-motiyeforce'o'mthe main :tovwhich it is connected, filtering edesired' di fierence of phase from that :0 developed; yfth'e nninodified action-pf the xnalnfsonrcer 15.-'-I-he combina tion of nmin end modif yin g emit-gash! 'electro motive force. of different relation; connected to and maintaining- :'5 polypliaseelectro-motive forces in the different branches of, a-golyphase distribution sys temg-yvith lamps goiether single phase tremlati'ngdeviqea 'srifiplied withenrrent by the mains. fco'nuected with; the men} J'sonrce o eleetrm metis-e-feree, polyphese motors or 0 otherlikedevices supplied with current from the mains connected to both sources of ,elee tro-metive-foree; and means-fer regulating the main source of electre-mgtive-force in'c0'r-.;. reayondence With-the demands of said single g 5 phase translating devices.

source to maintain a resultant electro-moti ve-g' I force on the main to. which" it is connected; having adesired difference of, phase fromthat developed-by the unmodified action ni -the I50 .mainsearcet'.

heed; at Schenectady, New York, this 31st 1 day of March,1 8 94. V r

- j CHARLES P. STEINMETZ;';. Witnessest Wf, v

. A. H; Ammrnom;

' Emu: Bum.

In witness whereof llhnre h renxito'eet-l 

